California DMV maintains an official list of approved online traffic schools you can search by county
The California Department of Motor Vehicles publishes a searchable database of traffic schools approved to offer online courses. You can access this list directly through the DMV website without paying a fee or registering with any third party. The list is organized by county, and each approved school shows its course code, the counties it serves, and whether it offers online instruction.
To find an approved school, go to the DMV's traffic school search tool, enter your county, and you will see all schools licensed to operate in your area. Each school sets its own price, course length, and completion timeline, so comparing a few options before enrolling is worth your time. The DMV does not endorse any particular school — it only confirms that the school meets state requirements for curriculum, instructor qualifications, and record-keeping.
Once you enroll in an approved school and complete the course, the school reports your completion directly to the DMV and the court that issued your citation. You do not submit paperwork yourself. The entire process is handled between you, the school, and the court system.
Key Takeaways
- The DMV's official traffic school search tool is free and searchable by county — use it to find schools approved to operate in your area.
- Only enroll in schools that appear on the DMV's approved list; schools not listed cannot legally report your completion to the court.
- Price, course length, and completion speed vary between approved schools, so compare options before paying.
- The school you choose reports your completion to the DMV and court automatically — you do not file paperwork yourself.
- You must have a traffic citation and court permission before enrolling; traffic school is not a substitute for paying a ticket you are not allowed to dismiss.
How to search the DMV's approved traffic school database
The California DMV maintains the traffic school search tool on its official website. To use it, you will need to know your county. Enter your county name, and the tool displays all schools approved to offer online courses in that area. Each listing shows the school's name, course code, and the specific counties it serves.
The search results do not include price or course length — you must contact the school directly or visit its website to compare those details. Many approved schools advertise their rates and completion times on their own websites, which makes side-by-side comparison easier. Some schools offer completion in as little as one day; others spread the course over several days or weeks.
If you do not see any schools listed for your county, it may mean no online schools are currently approved there, or the database has not been updated recently. In that case, contact your local court or the DMV directly to confirm whether online traffic school is available in your area.
What makes a traffic school "DMV-approved"
A DMV-approved traffic school is one that has met California's licensing requirements for curriculum content, instructor credentials, and record-keeping. The school must teach a state-mandated course covering traffic safety, vehicle code violations, and defensive driving techniques. The instructor must hold a valid teaching credential or meet specific experience requirements set by the DMV.
Approval does not mean the DMV recommends the school or vouches for its customer service. It means only that the school's course content and operations meet legal standards. The DMV does not rate schools by quality, speed, or price. A school on the approved list may have poor reviews or high costs — approval is about legal compliance, not customer satisfaction.
Schools must renew their approval periodically and can lose approval if they fail to meet standards or if complaints about their operations trigger an investigation. If a school is removed from the approved list, any course completion it reports after that date may not be accepted by the court.
Enrollment requirements and what you need before signing up
Before you enroll in any approved traffic school, you must have a traffic citation that the court has allowed you to dismiss through traffic school. Not all citations may have access to — some violations are too serious, and some drivers are ineligible (for example, if you have completed traffic school within the past 18 months). Your citation paperwork or the court's notice to you will state whether traffic school is an option.
When you contact a school to enroll, have your citation number and the court information ready. Some schools ask for your driver's license number as well. You will need to provide a valid email address because the school will send you course materials and a completion certificate to that address. Most schools require payment before you begin the course, though a few offer payment plans.
Do not enroll in a school before confirming with the court that you are allowed to take traffic school for your citation. If you complete a course but were not authorized to do so, the court will not accept the completion, and you will still owe the fine.
How course completion is reported to the court and DMV
Once you finish the online course and pass any required test, the approved school files a completion report with the court that issued your citation. This report includes your name, driver's license number, citation number, and the date you completed the course. The school also reports the completion to the DMV, which updates your driving record.
You do not need to print a certificate or submit anything yourself. The school handles all reporting electronically. However, it is a good idea to keep your own copy of the completion certificate for your records, in case a question arises later about whether you finished the course.
The court typically dismisses your citation within one to three weeks after receiving the school's report. If you do not see the dismissal reflected in your driving record or court account after that time, contact the school to confirm the report was sent and follow up with the court if necessary.
Common mistakes when choosing an online traffic school
The most common mistake is enrolling in a school that is not on the DMV's approved list. Some websites advertise traffic school courses but are not licensed by California. If you complete a course with an unapproved school, the court will not accept it, you will still owe the fine, and you may have wasted money. Always verify the school on the official DMV search tool before paying.
Another mistake is assuming all approved schools are the same. Prices range widely — from under $20 to over $100 for the same course. Completion time also varies; some schools let you finish in one sitting, while others require you to spread the course over multiple days. Read the school's terms before enrolling to understand what you are paying for and how long it will take.
A third mistake is enrolling before confirming with the court that you are allowed to take traffic school. Some drivers are ineligible due to prior traffic school use, the severity of the violation, or other factors. Verify your may be able to access with the court first, or you may complete the course and find out the court will not accept it.
What to do if you cannot find an approved school in your county
If the DMV's search tool shows no approved online schools in your county, contact your local traffic court directly. The court can tell you whether online traffic school is available in your area and may be able to refer you to an approved school that serves your county even if it is not listed in your search results.
Some approved schools serve multiple counties, so a school from a neighboring county may be able to serve you. The court can confirm whether that school is approved to handle citations from your court. If no online schools are approved in your region, the court may allow you to take traffic school in person at a local school or community college, or you may have other options to resolve your citation.
Do not assume that because you cannot find a school online, traffic school is not available to you. Call the court directly — staff can answer your question in minutes and point you toward the right option.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I take traffic school online if I got a ticket out of state?
No. Traffic school is a California-specific program that only works for citations issued in California. If you received a ticket in another state, you must handle it according to that state's rules. Some states offer traffic school, but each has its own approved providers and procedures.
What happens if I enroll in a school that turns out not to be DMV-approved?
If the school is not on the DMV's approved list, the court will not accept your completion, and you will still owe the fine and any late fees. You will have paid for a course that does not count. Always verify the school on the official DMV search tool before enrolling and paying.
Do I have to take the course all at once, or can I spread it over several days?
That depends on the school. Some approved schools allow you to complete the entire course in one session. Others require you to log in on different days or spread the material over a set number of days. Check the school's course structure before enrolling if timing matters to you.
How long does it take for the court to dismiss my citation after I complete traffic school?
Most courts process the school's completion report and dismiss the citation within one to three weeks. Some courts are faster. If more than three weeks have passed and you do not see a dismissal, contact the school to confirm the report was sent and follow up with the court.
Can I use traffic school to dismiss a ticket for a serious violation like reckless driving?
No. Traffic school is only available for certain moving violations. Serious violations like reckless driving, driving under the influence, or hit-and-run are not may be able to access for traffic school dismissal. Your citation paperwork will state whether traffic school is an option for your specific violation.